Thermal degradation of Pinus pinaster needles by DSC. Part 1: Dehydration kinetics

Fire behaviour prediction models, required for controlling wildland fires, can be calculated from a mathematical approach, taking the thermal and chem ical properties of forest fuels into account. To improve and extend applica tions of the model, we need a better understanding of the different phenome na involved in the thermal decomposition of forest fuels. Three steps have been observed during thermal degradation of Pinus pinaster needles: dehydra tion, oxidization of evolved gases and char combustion. Kinetic parameters of the first step were determined from DSC curves using various known metho ds which enable the determination of activation energy, preexponential Arrh enius factor and order of reaction.